Lim Chae-bin looked like he was in a race of his own, as he powered to a decisive victory in Korea’s year-end Grand Prix final race.
The 33-year-old rider from Daegu opened up a huge gap with an attack into the final lap of the showcase race at Gwangmyeong Speedom, said to be the world’s largest indoor velodrome, ten times the size of a soccer field, with a seating capacity of over 10,000.
The gap had closed a little by the finish – but really, his throw at the line wasn’t necessary.
It brings another stunning year to an end for Chae-bin 3, who was named as a participant in the DerbyWheel test event planned for April, but subsequently cancelled.
Of the 21 race weekends he has contested in 2024, he won the top-ranked Special Final in 18… and came second in the other 3. Naturally, that made him the country’s top-ranked rider, based on both results and prize money.
But it marks a slight decline from his invincibility of 2023, and a 2022 ruined only by a third place on the final race-day.
It’s Lim’s third victory in the year’s biggest race, following successes in 2021 and 2023.
His long-time rival in Korean keirin, Jung Jong-jin 7 came through for second.
Korean Grand Prix Final 2024: prize money
| Position | Prize in Korean ₩ | Prize in US$ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80,000,000 | 54,400 |
| 2 | 40,000,000 | 27,200 |
| 3 | 30,000,000 | 20,400 |
| 4 | 23,000,000 | 15,650 |
| 5 | 20,000,000 | 13,600 |
| 6 | 18,000,000 | 12,250 |
| 7 | 15,000,000 | 10,200 |